Record changing mechanism



May 26, 1931. P.'H. scHuLz RECORD CHANGING MECHANISM Filed May :51. 1929s Shee'ts-Sheet 1 k a. mew? .BY

M mm

May 26, 1931. p H u z 1,807,073

RECORD CHANGING MECHANISM I Fi led May 31, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

M ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED STATES PAUL H. SCHULZQOE MOLINE,ILLINOIS RECORD GING MECHANISM Application filed. May 31, 1929. SerialNo. 367,348.

y changing mechanism of that kind by the operation of which a number oftalking machine records can be fed in succession from a com- 5 'monstorage place to the apparatus of a sound reproducing machine, and,after being played, removed from said apparatus and reassembled forreturn to the place of storage, all of the operations connectedtherewith being automatically performed. 1

One of the purposes of the invention is to greatly increase the capacityof the machine, so that more than double the number of records can beplayed consecutively than is now possible with machines of that type,making it a desirable machine for use in restaurants, dance halls, andthe like, where it is desired to have the machine run for a considerablelength same time the device is of comparatively simple construction, andcan be produced at so low a cost as to Warrant the same being used to alarge extent in the homes.

Another purpose of the invention is the provision of novel and effectivemechanism for conveying the records in regular order to the reproducingdevices, and removing the same therefrom, a very brief time'beingrequired for removing one record from the turntable of the machine-andpositioning another one thereon. i

The invention is shownand set forth herein in its special adaptation foruse with a radio outfit, whereby the sounds that are reproduced b themachine are amplified by the loud speaker of the radio apparatus.

The invention embraces several groups of mechanisms, each independent ina way, but

to bring about the desired results. The function of the first of thesegroups is to support. a plurality of records in positionfor succes-'sive release and delivery to the conveying mechanism. The second groupincludes the V f apparatus for receiving the records, one at a inventionhas reference to a record of time without attention. At thepart of theframe. inter-related and cooperating with each'other time, from thestorage mechanism and conveying it to the reproducing apparatus, and

later conducting the record from the reproducing apparatus to the recordassembling device, This latter device comprises another and third groupof parts, of a novel character. Still another group takes in thereproducing mechanism, including the tone arm and pick-up thereof.Associated with these various groups are frame structures for thesupport thereof, and drive mechanisms by means of which they areoperated.

The construction, arrangement, and operation of the various parts of:the invention will be more fully understood from the fol- 0 lowingspecification, taken in connection with the accompan ing drawings, inwhich is portrayed one em odiment of the machine, and in which, I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine, 05 with some of the framebroken away.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, with part of the superstructure removed.

F ig; 3 is a side elevation of that side of the machine opposite to theside shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the electric system used in connection with theinvention.

Group A includes a base land frame 2, which parts are also commontoother portions of the machine. frame are united by a cross-plate 3,secured to which is a loop 4, in which is fixed the lower end of a'rodv5, inclined u wardly at an angle of approximately fortyve degrees, andpassing through a cross-plate 6, on the upper ends of brackets 7, a soforming a Slidable on the rod 5 is a tube 8, provided at its lower endwith an arm 9., with which is connected one end of a coiled spring 10,the other end of which is attached to the cross-plate '6. Fixed to theupper end of the tube 8 is a disk 11, adapted for the supportof aplurality of records 40,

with the projecting end of the rod 5 passing The side-pieces of thepile.

is caused by the pin 20, the end of which is spaced permit of the freescribed.

ment by force of gravity,

through the central openings in the records, and retaining them inposition on the disk. It, will be evident that the disk 11 and recordsthereon are held in an inclined position at right angles with the axisofthe rod 5, and that if permitted to do so said records would movedownwardly of their own weight.

The tendency of the spring 10 is to move the disk 11 and pile of recordsupwardly, but this is normally prevented by means of a brakeever 12,fulcrumed on the frame at a, and connected by a coiled spring 13 with apin 14 in the lower part of the frame. The tendency of said springis tohold the end of the lever 12 in engagement with the tube 8, holding thesame from movement. Projected upwardly from one side of. the frame is a-plate 15-, from which projects laterally a tubular support 16, in whichis a rock-shaft 17. On the inner end of the shaft 17 is an arm 18,normally in line with the rod 5, and

provided on its lower end with a stop 19, against which the upper record40 is in con tact. The space between the stop 19 and end of the rod 5 is"slightly wider than the thickness of a record, permitting one record ata time to be removed from the pile on the disk 11. Projecting downwardlyfrom the stop 19 is a pin 20, which enters the opening in the topmostrecord, and holds the same from accidental release. By means ofmechanism hereinafter set forth the arm 18 can be swung toward thecenter of the machine when it is desired to eject the record from theThe "initial 'movement of the record from the upper end of the rod 5, tomovement of the pin. In the continued movement. of the 'arm 18 the stop19 moves away from the record and the pin 20 disengages therefrom,whereupon the record continues its downward moveand is received by theconveying mechanis hereinafter de- J ournaled-in the frame2 is a maindriveshaft 22, on which is fixed a worm gear wheel 23, in mesh with theshaft 25 of a motor 26, supported on the base 1. On the outer end of theshaft 22 is a crank-arm 27, the crank-pin 28 of which is engaged in aslot 29 in the lower end of a connecting rod 30, the upper end of whichhas a pivotal connection with an arm 31, fixed to the outer end oftherock-shaft 17. A coiled spring 32 is connected at one endto theconnecting rod 30, and at the other end to the support 15 thetendency ofsaid spring beingto give an upward urge ptothe connecting rod at alltimes.

t one point in the cycle of operationsit is desired to have thebrake-lever 12 released momentarily, during which interval the disk 11and records thereon are moved upwardly which is again bent to form atrip 38,

the one next below the same.

mitting the disk 11 to a worm drive 24 on embraces a pair of the frame2, in'the upper ends of which is .rockingly supported a rod 46, to whichis a distance correspondin with the thickness of a single record. For t's purpose an anglelever 36 is pivoted to the frame, as at b, the shortarm of said lever bearing against the long arm of the lever 12. Theplate 36 is bent outwardly at its free end into an arm 37, which is inthe line of movement of the outer end of the crank-arm 27. As thecrank-arm passes beneath the trip it raises it, tipping the plate 36uwardly and raising the long end. of the bra e lever 12. This permits thetube 8- and disk 11 with its load to move'upwa-rdly under the force ofthe spring 10, and as this action is timed to immediately follow thedischarge of a record from the topof the pile, such records is replacedin position by In some cases, as when loading the disk 11 with a supplyof records, it is necessary to, release the brake, and this can beaccomplished by means of a hand-lever 39, pivoted to. the frame as at c,

the lower end of said hand-lever engaging the long end of the brakeleverand forcin the. same upwardly, releasing the tube 8, an perbe forceddownwardly to its lowest point.

During the feeding-interval for the rec-'- ords, when the brake 12 isreleased, the crankarm 27 is at the upper end of its movement, with theconnecting rod 30 in a substantially vertical position, as shown'inbroken lines at X in Fig. 3, with the crank-pin 28 at the upper end ofthe slot 29. In this arm 18 is in its normal position, 1n line :with therod 5, and it is practically locked in such position during the releaseof the brake 12, preventing accidental ords from the rod. When the disksupplied with records it is desired to have the arm 18 out of the way,and with the crank-arm 27 in a certain other position the slot 29permits the rod 30 to be thrown for-. wardly, as shown in broken linesat Y, with the'arm 18 turned well out of the way. This can beaccomplished at a time when the storage devices are at rest, as will behereinafter mentioned. y

Group B, which takes in the mechanism is being for receiving andhandling the records after duclng apparatus, such as a'motor 41 fordriving the same, located beneath the base 1, and'provided with avertical shaft 42, to which is fixed a turn-table 43. 'The upper end ofsaid shaft on the turn-table. The receiving apparatus supports 45 on theend of fixed a pair of bearings 47, supportinga plate 48, from theopposite ends of which is prodischarge of the rec is formed into a pin44, to receive the record, and assist 1n centering it said armsand isstopped by a pair of bum in Fig. 1, this i from scratching the recordjust- -1nclined support 59, in th receiving end of the 'rod ers 51supported by' the plate 48. These bumpers also serve as gauges forproperly positioning the record with reference to the turn-table 43.

The means for moving the plate 48 and arms 49 consists of an arm 52fixed to the rod 46 and connected by a plate or rod 53 with the end ofan arm 54, pivoted to the frame 2 at (Z. The arm 54 is provided'with aroller 55 for engagement by a cam 56 on the shaft 22. The rotation ofsaid camserves to move the arm 54 forwardly, as shown in broken lines,the arm 52 being moved in the same direction, causing the arms 49 toswing upward-. ly. The conformation of the cam is such that thereceiving device at first is carried into the position shown in brokenlines at Z,

movement enabling said device to deliver the record which has just beenplayed to the re-assembling mechanism. The arms 49. are then moveddownwardly again into the inclined positionbefore re ferred to, in whichthe record is delivered thereto. The ends of the arms are curvedupwardly, and as the record slides .over the curved portions it tends toraise the forward edge of the record a little, and prevent it beneathit. After receiving the record the arms move downwardly again, passingon opposite sides of the turn-table and to a point slightly below thesame, depositing the record on such turn-table. he connections for theplate 48 are angularly disposed, and in the final movement thereofdownwardlythe gauges 51 draw away from the edge of the record, so as notto interfere with the rotation thereof. A coiled spring 57 connects thearm 54 with the frame, and holds said arm in operative position at alltimeswith reference to the cam 56.

Group C, which includes the mechanism for reassembling the records,consists of an e upper end of which is a bearing 60, to receive a rod61, which is held in place by a set-screw 62 in the hearing. A washer 63of elastic material serves as abufi'er for the records, which are strungon the rod 61, one at'a time. The is curved, as shown, the curvethereinserving to raise the .records a little, as they slide alon therod, and raise them from contact wit the gauges .51. After passing thiscurve the records move downthe inclined portion of the rod by gravity.

Group D, which embraces the reproducing mechanism, includes theturntable already referred to, and tone-arm devices for use therewith,supported from one side of the machine in the following manner ;At-

tached to the'side of the frame 2 is a bracket 65, on which are bearings66, in which is journaled a shaft-67, on one end of which is a head 68,in which is rotatably mounted a turret 69, in which is pivoted a tonearm 70, so as to have a limited movement in a vertical plane. On the endof said tone-arm is a pick-up casing 71, provided with the usual needlefor following the grooves of'the record. On the other end of the shaft67 is a bevel-gear wheel 72, in mesh with a simi lar wheel 73 on the endof a rock-shaft 74, journaled in the lower part of the frame.

To the inner end of said shaft is fixed an arm 75, (Fig. 2) at the outerend of which is a roller 7 6, in engagement with the edge of a cam 77,fixed on the shaft 22. A spring 78 connects the arm 75 with the frame 2,and insures a positive engagement of the roller 76 with said cam.Projecting from the turret 69 is a pin 79, the insulated head of which Iis adapted to contact with one of the terminalsofa switch 80. 82 arealso provided to limit the movement of the tone-armin either direction.

As the tone-arm 70 reaches the end of its inward movement on the recordthe switch Stop-screws 81 andis closed, closing the circuit to .themotor 26, and starting the shaft 22. By the action of the cam 77 alsorocking the shaft 67, tone-arm upwardly at the chine, out of the ingdevices. movement the tone-arm and pickup thereon, tip back of their ownweight intothe position shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, and upon beingagain lowered over the record will be in position to again start theplaying of the record. After one record has been removed from theturn-table and another one positioned thereon the movement of the shaft67 is reversed, carrying the tone-arm back to operating position, withthe switch 80 again open. The outer end of the tone arm is also providedwith wires 83, for connection with a radio apparatus. p

. A switch 84 is attached to the frame 2 at one side of the machine,which switch is connected with the electric system of the machine, andthe terminals of which are arranged to be normally closed. One of saidterminals is in the line of movement of a roller 85 on the cam 77 in therotation of said 'cam the switch will be opened and the movement of themotor 26 interrupted. This condition continues while the piece on therecord is being reproduced, and upon the tone-arm 7 O reaching the endof its inward movement the switch 80, which is on an independent circuitto the motor, is closed by the pin 79, and the motor put in operationagain. This results in the operation of the shaft 22, and rocking of thearm As it approaches the end of the so that at one point.

the shaft 74 is then rocked,

7 arm 54, operating of the machine, out of the way of the recordreceivingv and handling frame. The continued rotation of'the shaft 22actuates the the shaft 46, and carrying the record that has just beenreproduced upwardly and positioning the same on the rod 61. The arms 49are then moved down- Wardly into inclined position to receive a recordfrom the pile, whereupon they a ain move downwardly, depositing therecor on the turn-table, as before described. At this oint the roller 85opens the switch 84, and the motor 26 and shaft 22 are again motion 41has been in movement the record is doless. The motor meanwhile, and assoon as posited thereon the tone-arm is lowered into position to startthe reproduction of thepiece. This return movement of the tonearmnecessarily precedes the shutting off of the motor 26, and the switch 80is 0 en at this time, so that the motor will not e' put in operationthereby.

A switch 86 is also attached to the frame 2, and is wired for connectionwith the electric system extending to the motor v41. The longer arm ofthe switch 86 is formed at its end with a bend which is in the line oftravel of a trip 87 fixed to the tube 8, and upon said tube reachin .theend of its upward movement, with t e last record on the disk 11discharged, said switch will be opened by the trip 87, interrupting'themovement I of said motor. Upon more records being C and D to the motor26.

p the re assembling to of the machine is continuous,

placed on the storage disk the trip is moved downwardly, and the'switchpermitted to close again.

In Fig. 4 is shown a diagrammatical detail of the electric system andits appliegtion to the various devices. Two main wires A and B lead tothe motor 41, and by wires The wire D leads to the switch 80, which isconnected with the motor 26 by a wire E. The switch 84: isalso connectedwith the wires 1) At F'is indicated a switch for opening the circuit ofthe entire system, when desired, and the switch 86 is shown out into thethe operation after the store age devices have been supplied with aquantity of records, one record at a time being fed'from the pile anddelivered to the reproducing deviees and later transferred to mechanism.Inmachines which are now in use the limit It will be understood that ofthis type of records that can be handled at a single loading is twelve,whereas the present machine can be adapted for operation with doublethat number, or most an number, within reason. Other changes anadaptationican.

and E;

' centrally thereof,

-movement to the up be made without departing fromthe SCOPO" of theinvention. What I claim, ters Patent, is; I

1. In a record changing mechanism a storage device comprising a fixedrod, a tubular member slidable thereon and provided with' means forlimiting the' a nd desire to secure I ietj means for records, comprisinga record supporting table, a tube connected therewith, a rod in saidtube projected above said table and forming a central stored thereon,means for constantly impelling said tube in a direction to dischargesaid records, a brake for said tube, capable of holding'the same at anypoint in its movement, a retaining arm in line with said rod, means formoving the same out of line there- .with'to release the uppermostrecord, means for momentary release of said brake, and means for holdingsaid retaining arm in line support for records-- with said rod at suchintervals of temporary release of the brake.

3. In a record changing mechanism, a storage device comprising a tableheld in inclined position, a tube connected with said table, and meansfor impelling said tube in a direction to dischar 0 records held on saidtable, means for olding said tube from movement, means for momentarilyreleasing said last-named means, a rod extending through said tube andtable, forming aretainer for records sup orted thereon, an armswingingly mounted a ve said table, in line with said rod, and providedwith means for engagement with the central opening of a record, meansfor swinging said arm to one side, means for holding sai arm frommovement during the momentary tube-holding means, said means whenproperly positioned also permitting the arm to be swung to one side topermit loading of the storage device. 4. In record changing mechanism, astorage devioe, comprising a support held in an inclined position, aretaining rod for records means for constant upward feed of saidsndpport, a stop in line with said support provi ed with a pin forengagement with the opening in a record, means for moving said stop toone side and giving initial vrmost record on said suprportgmd means orarresting the feed of sea support while said stop is in operation.

5. In a record-changing mechanism, a storage device, capable of holdinga plurality of release of said disk records in position for automaticdis-' charge therefrom, mechanism for receiving records one at a. timefrom said stem device and delivering the same to a repro ucingmechanism, "a reproducing mechanism, including a tone-arm and pick-upthereof, and means for moving said tone-arm upwardly and to one side ofthe machine, and to a point from which it will move by gravity to m a.position ready for another reproducing movement when it is returned tooperating position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

. PAUL H. SCHULZ.

